Middle English Dictionary Entry
wīken v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | wīken v.(2) Sg.3 (early) wīket; p.ppl. wēken. |
| Etymology | OE ge)wīcan; cp. OI vīkja, Swed. vika & OFris. wīka, MDu. wiken. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To fail, flag; also, refl. give way;
(b) ben weken, to be yielded up.
Associated quotations
a
- a1250 Mon may longe (Mdst A.13)47 : Hu sore him [vr. he him] wiket þar in one stunde oþer two, wurh him pine euere-mo.
- a1350 I syke (Hrl 2253)53 : Ofte when y syke, wiþ care y am þourhsoht; when y wake, y wyke, of serewe is al mi þoht.
b
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3282 : Ðvs is israel of hem wreken, And here welðe is to londe weken, Wepen and srud, siluer and gold.